Prep Football Preview: High expectations at Serrano

Friday

Aug 17, 2012 at 8:41 PMAug 25, 2012 at 8:27 PM

By C.J. DAFT, STAFF WRITER

PHELAN • Expectations go a little higher than just winning a Mojave River League title each year at Serrano.

After all, the Diamondbacks have reached at least the CIF-Southern Section divisional semifinals in seven of the last 10 seasons, including the last four. They've won one championship and reached the finals three times in that stretch. Serrano hasn't lost an MRL game since 2008 (a winning streak of 14 games) and has won 11 of 14 league championships since joining the MRL in 1998.

The goal of going deep into the postseason isn't any different this season.

"Definitely getting back to where we were, at least," said quarterback Daniel Epperson. "We have high expectations this year. Our offense is definitely rolling. We have a lot of returners on our offense."

Running back Michael Hawkins took that a step further.

"We expect to win a division title," Hawkins said. "If we don't, we'll be very disappointed, because we work hard and every day we strive to be one of those other teams that have won the division."

Serrano reached the semifinals last season, losing 35-0 to Summit. While only nine starters return, six come back from an offense that averaged 30.8 per game last year.

"We have three good running backs and Daniel's probably the best throwing quarterback we've ever had, so we're excited," Serrano coach Ray Maholchic said. "We're thin on the first line, but the first group is real solid. If we stay healthy, we're hoping the offense carries us before the defense gets its experience. Our defense returns three starters, but the kids that we got there look good."

Maholchic's optimism sprouts from the talent Serrano returns. Epperson, a senior, threw for 1,373 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions on 51 percent passing last year. Epperson said he spent a lot of time attending camps this summer.

"Epperson's the real deal. He has such a quick release and a strong arm, and he's got great presence in the pocket," Maholchic said. "That's one of his strengths. His eyes are always downfield, he doesn't get flustered. He's a kid you look for, especially in high school, that will stand in a crowd and throw the ball."

Epperson's numbers may rise with the help he has at receiver. He returns his top two targets in Cade Tropila (31 catches for 507 yards and five touchdowns) and tight end Kyle Jergensen (16 catches for 207 yards and five touchdowns). DeAndre Williams, Silverado's top receiver last season, transferred into Serrano during the offseason, giving Epperson another athletic target.

"It's a one-two (WR) combination we haven't seen around here in a long, long time," Maholchic said. "We have two playmaking receivers on the edge. That's a luxury we rarely see. I think it's the best receiving tandem we've had. We've had good receivers here and there, but two legit guys, it's rare we see that."

The possibility of the ball moving more through the air isn't lost on some of the players.

"We have a talented passing team, that's what I like about it," Jergensen said. "It's definitely changed, because before they would send me in to block and now they're sending me out on some routes."

In the backfield, senior Hawkins — who had 653 yards, 11 TDs and rushed for 10.2 yards per carry last season — is expected to carry the bulk of the load with junior Lee Hogan looking to rotate in and sophomore Geordan King getting a few touches.

"That definitely diversifies our offense," Epperson said. "We can kill you with the throw, and then you can have your guys backpedalling and we can (give it to) Lee or Michael. That's the thing, everywhere you look there's talent, especially on our offense. That's the one thing we look forward to this year, how much our offense has changed through the years."

Defensively, Jergensen at defensive end, Hogan at cornerback and Tropila at safety are the only returning starters. The strength appears to be on the defensive line. Jergensen and Jay Henderson will provide speed off the edges and first-year player Angel Robles — a heavyweight wrestler — will add size at nosetackle. Grant Coonce will also start on the line.

C.J. Daft can be reached at christiand@vvdailypress.com or (760) 951-6275.